The Birth of the Peacekeepers.

The Peacekeepers #1

by Ricky Sides

Centered around a series of natural disasters of biblical proportions that are occurring on a global scale, tens of millions have died as a result of the earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, gigantic super cell thunderstorms and tornados that are ravaging the earth. A rogue nation decides to take advantage of the chaos at this time to attack America with nuclear weapons. The American intelligence network learns of the plan and the government decides to launch a first strike at this rogue nation. This information leaks out to other nations and soon the world is poised on the brink of all out nuclear conflagration as the nuclear nations choose sides in the coming conflict. As the militaries of the world go underground in preparation for the attack most of the world is blissfully ignorant of what is about to happen. There are a few exceptions to this. The civilians that are aware make plans to try to survive the attack as well. As the moment for the attack draws near, the disaster plagued planet is beset by earthquakes of unprecedented intensity and numbers. Oddly the epicenters seem to be located at every major military installation around the world. (It is implied and hinted at that divine intervention has saved mankind from nuclear war, though it is never outright stated.) When the survivors of the earthquakes look around them the next morning they see a world drastically changed. A few men and women struggle to cope with the devastation as best they can but many turn to marauding as a means of survival. Preying on any people they encounter they slaughter any that oppose them as they take anything they want. A few of the survivors band together to protect those weaker than themselves.

Jim Wilison: Martial arts expert trained in survival techniques. Superb marksman. Gifted martial artist. Tactical training for leadership. Sniper skills.

Patricia Huxley: 28 year old woman who was a Child prodigy specializing in computer programming.

Tim Wilison: 13 year army corps of engineers. Demolition specialist, pilot of small single engine aircraft as a hobby. Marksman, student of military battle tactics.

Lina: A free spirited woman dead set on exploring the country to see what is left. Rescued by Jim and trained extensively.

Lacey Carteen: A woman trying to raise her eight year old son in the post cataclysmic setting. Rescued by Jim. Learned survival training from Jim. Becomes a stabilizing influence in his life.

Evan Carteen: 8 year old son of Lacey who helps heal an old wound in Jim's soul and in the process make him a better man.

Pete Damroyal: Aging veteran of Vietnam war era. Sniper. guerilla warfare specialist. Organized large survival group in Chicago Illinois. Superb tactician. Hand to hand combat specialist. Leader of the survival group.

Maggie Peterson: An attractive woman in her mid thirties with short black hair worn in a short shag. Maggie had been a trauma care specialist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago who was known for her volatile temper and her at times unorthodox approach to saving lives. She had been brought up on charges upon three separate occasions for deviating from protocol. In each case her unorthodox approach saved the lives of her patients whereas following the protocols would have failed to do so therefore the Chief of Staff ordered the incorporation of her new techniques into standard treatment protocols.

Genres: Adventure, Fiction, Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Action

347 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 30, 2009

Reviews

[Olethros · Rating 3 out of 5]

-I got survivalism!.-

Género. Ciencia-Ficción.

Lo que nos cuenta. En medio de desastres climáticos, tectónicos y atmosféricos de colosales proporciones que afectan a todo el mundo, cierta potencia extranjera decide atacar a los Estados Unidos de América con armamento nuclear, por lo que el gobierno de este país decide practicar el ataque preventivo con su propio arsenal. Mientras se preparan para lo peor, terremotos de altísima intensidad destrozan los centros militares y de gobierno por lo que el caos empieza a extenderse. Primer libro de la serie Peacekeepers.

¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:

http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...

[Murray Camp · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a very weak Objectivist, post-apocalyptic vision. I must admit that I did listen to this whole book on tape because I love the genre. However, I found it to be very shallow, with cartoonish characters and a superficial philosophical bent. The plot, with its premise of natural disasters causing the apocalypse and its square-jawed protagonists was a bit insulting. I wouldn't recommend it unless you really like this sort of thing.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book about life in a lawless America, the result of a series of natural and man-made catastrophes. For me, the story is about -- me. I don't think I'm the only person who wonders how he would behave when there are no rules. Most of us would like to think we'd be like Jim Wilison, a very capable man who usually chooses to do the right thing and is learned and trained well enough to do a lot of good for a lot of people. Not everybody is as virtuous as Wilison in this story and the resulting conflicts are a major feature in the plot.

Other reviewers have mentioned that the story is rife with cruelty, rape, murder and thievery. Although I've never lived through an apocalypse, what I know about human nature simply from reading the newspaper makes me think that Ricky Sides has only scratched the surface. These are the horrible things that will absolutely happen when society breaks down. How would 'regular' people behave when they and their families are faced with danger and deprivation? Who will do the right thing and who won't? For me that's a major theme of this book.

It's a riveting stand-alone story as well as a set up for the remaining books in the series. I'm looking forward to those.

[Wayne · Rating 2 out of 5]

The post apocalyptic story line I found interesting. However, somewhat corny and unrealistic dialogue coupled with poor writing and/or editing will keep me from reading more of the "Peacekeeper" series. Glad I didn't pay for it.......

[Elaine · Rating 1 out of 5]

There is way too much detail and it seems rather amateurish. I'm thinking this guy doesn't have an editor or anyone else to proof his work.

I find it irritating when there are only 2 characters present and they refer to each other by name regularly when speaking (ie.. "'I saw that he was a good kid with a desperate problem, Frank. I don't really see what I did as very great. You see, Frank, your son was doing what he thought he had to do. That's what I did too.' 'We owe you a lot, Jim. If you ever need anything, let me know and I'll do my best to help you.' 'I'll remember that, Frank,' Jim said.." - when there's just the two of them and it's done throughout their conversation as though there were multiple people present.)

Except for the content, it's like I'm reading a Fun With Dick and Jane reader. For example: "Jim left his retreat to go to see the Parkers. Jim was proud of the rig. It was a Peterbuilt with a double sleeper and air conditioner. The trailer was plain and bore no insignia, which was fine with Jim. He had plans to use the trailer as a billboard when he went looking for his brother. As he drove the truck to town, Jim reflected..."

At 55% - So far at least, this book can be summed up as Jim on the road, loading up his truck with food and other items he might be able to use, and answering women's screams by fighting off the offenders. Seems like every woman out there was being raped and ♬ Jim Dandy to the res-cue. Jim Dandy to the res-cue.♫ ♪ Oh please! - couldn't finish reading this. What's the point?

[Sharon Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

It started a little slow, with some awkward scenes but it improved all the way through. Good, solid and believable first book in a post-apocalyptic series. Good characterization and reasonably well edited for an indie publication.

I've already picked up the second book in the series.

[Shirley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very difficult book to read. The grammar is elementary and the book is in need of a good editor. It's unfortunate as this is the first book in a seven book series.

[Sierra Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not easy finding post apocalyptic or post global disaster books that aren't either over the top in one way or another and it's been many years since I've had the chance to read one that didn't seem too outlandish or just wasn't set right.

Mr. Sides first book in his Peacekeepers series accomplished that. I read the sample and immediately one-clicked the rest. I found his story setting, details, characters to all be well-written, highly detailed in the places where details counted and easily understood. Each character, from Jim, Patricia and down to little Evan were all real to me and that is a vital element for me as a reader.

The action was well-founded, not cliched as some of these style books can be and never boring. I enjoyed his dialogue between the characters. Now as for some of the complaints listed in other reviews, I didn't see it. I didn't see Mr. Sides treating his female characters in anyway that degraded them or made them lesser characters and certainly while there was violence in this type of book I honestly would have wondered about it if there hadn't been. I certainly can say as a female reader that I wasn't offended and thought he handled Patricia very well.

I don't normally give or say if you like a certain author then you will like so and so but in this case and for readers of the old Guardian series by Richard Austin then give this series a try.

[Brad Theado · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it enough to get book two. There was some proofing issues but you'll have that in independent fiction, so what? It was a good story. I found the flying car to be a bit of a stretch and some of the love talk was stilted. However, overall I liked it.

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little slow to start, but improves throughout the entire book. Not sure if this author had an editor or not, if so, the editor could have performed a better job at the beginning of the book.

With that said, I really enjoyed the story and will be reading the next in the series!

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

My review http://ereader1.blogspot.com/2009/11/...

[Spgmt *Paula* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Freebie !!! Can not believe that I am reading these sorts of survivor books and enjoying them !!! will definately look out for the next few in the series.

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Series finished all 11 in less than a month can't wait for the next one.

[Chuck Trimble · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was sucked in by the prepper/survivalist foundations of the story, but a little turned off by some of the sci-fi elements -- certainly not enough to not read the entire thing in about 10 days!

[Craig Pearson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simplistic and obviously an easy read. Do not expect a detailed and realistic plot development.

[Paul Moore · Rating 1 out of 5]

He needs to fire his "editor."